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Karina121293
Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi girls. I have been checking here, but not posting much lately. Was kind of withdrawn because of the test week.

So, I had US for healthy breast, scars and abdomen - clear, chest x-ray - clear, blood work , urine - clear, CA 15-3 - 3.0 ( the normal range is 35 here) , but CEA is 15.0 ( the normal range is 4.5 here) .  So its elevated, but it's a lot less than three months ago .My doctor is on vacation, and I will not know her reaction till next week. She is a  tumour marker 'loving' doctor. 

What you all think, shall I worry about CEA??? My Dr. has not recommended me to do CT or MRI, she thinks there is no need , since I have no complains. Don't know , if I should push for it. I want and don't want them. It's like don't trouble the trouble, until the trouble troubles you !!!! Does that make any sense, or am I letting myself into a denial???  I really feel good only 2 weeks after my last chemo. 

Dear ladies, I want any advise on weather to worry about the CEA test. I so want to move on and start the radiation and finalize the treatment with HT and start the complimentary  to recover from chemo and rads. Any input is much appreciated.

Everyone have a great and healthy weekend.

Love,

Karina 

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited August 2011

    I'm sorry Karina, your quote made perfect sense but that's a tough call,  my dr is not the marker loving kind, she doesn't trust them.  Going by my dr I'm suppose to go on symptoms, which too can be a hard call at times.  You just finished chemo, so I'd think chances are slim and the more scans you do only expose you to more cancer causing radiation so, you'd like to save them for when you really need them, the marker's have gone down so that's good, the US was normal & you have no symptoms.  I don't think I would, I'd just watch myself.  When I had a scare a few months back I asked my dr what would change in my tx, would I start chemo again and she said no so, I decided not to do the test immediately. 

    Maybe it could be some denial but I think we know our bodies too, like know in our gut, if that makes sense.  I do feel I'm walking around in a big pile of denial at times but it's nice & scarey at the same time, I guess it's part of the process.  I thought to myself one day, I can stress over a reoccurance that may never come but if it does is that stress going to make me feel any better about the fact that its back.  The day they tell me it's back will be just as bad whether I stress over it before hand or not, I hope that makes sense.  And I hope you get some answers from your dr next week, let us know.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited August 2011

    Hi Karina,

    My onc also does tumor marker blood tests but he uses the 27.29 test. My results were seesawing during the several months after treatment.  According to my onc, it was nothing to worry about because the treatment could have caused the spikes.  Hang in there.

    Hi Jennifer...good to "see" you here...hope all is well...take care. 

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2011

    Hello Karina, I found this on the internet for you:

    Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause a temporary rise in CEA due to the death of tumor cells and release of CEA into the blood stream.

    Perhaps you should just wait to see how this number is a few months after you have finished with chemo and have had a chance to recover from the chemo. 

     I have never had the CEA test, only the 15-3 test.  Mine has always been around the same, about 22 in the beginning and now 18. 

    I'm afraid to ask for this test....too much stress!  I think you are doing well!  

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited August 2011

    Thanks girls.

     Jenny you put it exactly how I feel about our bodies telling us something. That's what I am going to do!!! Listen to my body. I feel good, my complexion looks healthy and my tests ( well, most of them) are good. My hair is coming out, so the eyebrows and lashes, and feels great not thinking of chemo and infusions all the time and try to be normal. You know what I mean, don't you???

    Americanpinay and Kathleen, thanks for the info on CEA and chemo. I know lots of BC patients from hospital who only do 15-3 test.

    And, yes, thanks for saying I AM DOING WELL!!!!! It makes me feel healthier. 

    Love,

    Karina 

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